Locking gastric obstruction device and method of use

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for intermittently obstructing a bodily opening, such as a gastric opening, and includes a proximal member connected to a distal member by a tether. The proximal member is formable from an elongated and narrower configuration to a contracted or expanded but wider configuration. When employed in the stomach, the device may be arranged transluminally with the distal member disposed in the duodenum and the proximal member disposed against the pyloric valve, intermittently occluding the pyloric valve and preventing or delaying the flow of gastric contents through the pyloric valve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/101,034 filed Aug. 10, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/849,450 filed Sep. 9, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.10,070,981 issued Sep. 11, 2018, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2014/024475 filed Mar. 12, 2014,which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/791,433 filed Mar. 15, 2013, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gastro-intestinal device for treatingobesity and other medical conditions. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a device that is positioned transluminally in apatient's gastro-intestinal tract to intermittently obstruct or reducethe flow of gastric contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Obesity is a condition of epidemic proportions in the United States.Recent government studies have indicated that up to 40% of Americans areobese and that, among those, almost 20% are morbidly obese. Obesity isnot the problem in and of itself, but is the source of multiplepathological conditions, including cardiovascular disease, heartdisease, stroke, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea. Recent studieshave indicated that obesity can reduce a person's lifespan by an averageof three years in adults and twenty years in children.

Many attempts have been made in the prior art to provide medications,devices, and surgical procedures for the treatment of obesity, all ofwhich either have serious side effects or are basically ineffective. Forexample, various diets, supplements and pharmaceuticals have beendeveloped and marketed, but none have shown any significant benefits todate in the treatment of obesity with the exception of somepharmaceuticals, which have unfortunately been found to cause a numberof serious, life-threatening medical conditions. To date, there are nocommercially available supplements or drugs that have been proven to beeffective in promoting significant weight loss and at the same time thatare free from serious collateral side effects.

Recognizing that no cure has been developed to date that is botheffective and safe, the medical industry has introduced more extremeprocedures, an example of which is the Roux-En-Y gastric bypass. Thisextensive and invasive surgery is highly effective but is alsopotentially lethal, with a 1-2% mortality rate, a six month recoveryperiod, and a cost of tens of thousands of dollars, yet it is becomingincreasingly popular because other available treatments do not producethe desired results. Gastric reduction, or simply removing a largesegment of the stomach, is another procedure that is similar to gastricbypass and that, like gastric bypass, has also been associated withpotentially lethal complications. Data from recent studies haveindicated that even in the lowest risk groups, obesity surgery causes anaverage one-year mortality rate of nearly 5%.

In another attempt to treat obesity, devices have also been developed inthe prior art that are aimed at providing a sense of fullness to apatient, so to cause the patient to reduce food intake. Such devices maybe configured as stents that support the stomach or the pyloric valve toor that may be configured as permanent occluders. Unfortunately, thesedevices are implanted in the patient on an essentially permanent basisand typically include complex mechanical or electrical features that maystop working properly over time or that may require maintenance fromtime to time. Examples of such devices in the prior art can be found inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,509,888; 6,067,991; 6,527,701; 6,689,046; 7,011,621;7,037,344; 7,120,498; 7,122,058 and 7,167,750, and in U.S. PatentApplication Publications Nos. 2004/0172142; 2005/0273060; 2007/0016262;2007/0027548; and 2007/0083224.

Evidence has been developed showing that benefits can be derived fromreducing gastroduodenal flow. In unpublished, but recently presenteddata at the American Society for Bariatric Surgery conference of June2003, stimulation of the gastric vagus nerve with subsequent reductionin gastric motility resulted in a loss of over 20% of excess weight overa nine month period. Furthermore, there is data suggesting that gastricvagotomy is also effective in the treatment of obesity trough a similarmechanism. Unfortunately, these therapies require highly invasive,sometimes irreversible, surgical procedures, making them undesirable fora large segment of the obese population.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for thetreatment of obesity and related conditions that intermittentlyobstructs a transluminal passage, such as a gastric opening.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device forthe treatment of obesity and related conditions that is well toleratedby the stomach and in general, by the gastro-intestinal tact.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device forthe treatment of obesity and related conditions that can be implantedand removed with medical procedures that are safe and relatively simpleto perform.

Briefly, the device of the present invention operates as a transluminaldevice that obstructs the pylorus or another organ on an intermittentbasis and that causes a reduced flow of gastric contents into theintestinal tract. The device of the present invention may just occupyspace in the stomach and occlude the pyloric valve from time to time, oralso may partially obstruct the duodenum or the small intestine,reducing overall gastrointestinal transit. The intermittent blockage ofthe gastrointestinal tract results in weight loss and also in anincreased or sustained feeling of fullness by the patient.

The device of the present invention can be placed and removed withsimple endoscopic procedures and is completely reversible. Inparticular, the device of the present invention can be inserted andremoved orally, nasally or transcutaneously and, in certain embodiments,can be triggered externally or can be caused to expand or canself-expand once in the gastrointestinal space.

In one embodiment, a device according to the present invention includesa proximal member oriented in the direction of the stomach afterimplantation and a distal member oriented in the direction of theduodenum after implantation that are connected by a tether.

The proximal member is composed of a first occluding member surroundedby an apron member. The first occluding member is formable from anelongated, narrower configuration to a contracted, wider configuration,while the apron member has an essentially cylindrical portion thatsurrounds the first occluding member and an essentially conical portionthat connects the apron member to the tether, providing the apron memberwith a funnel-like shape. In one embodiment, the cylindrical portion isspaced from the first occluding member by an interstice, and thecylindrical and conical portions may have different wall thickness.

The first occluding member may be formable from the narrowerconfiguration to the wider configuration by injecting a substance withinthe first occluding member, or may have a solid structure that can becompressed to assume an expanded shape, in order to transition form theelongated configuration to the wider configuration.

In one embodiment, the elongated configuration exhibits a helicalcontour with a plurality of turns, and the wider configuration is formedfrom the helical configuration by nesting the turns one adjacent to theother to provide a bulbous body. The wider configuration is then lockedin place by engaging a connecting member at the proximal end of thefirst occluding member with a mating cavity at the distal end of thefirst occluding member. This may be achieved by having a clinician pullon a string coupled to the connecting member in the direction of themating cavity.

In one embodiment, such coupling string extends outside of the devicealong its entire length and then enters a lumen running from the firstoccluding member to the second occluding members through the tether.When entering the first occluding member, the string is looped throughthe connecting member and is removable from the device after theconnecting member has engaged the matching cavity. The proximal end ofthe first occluding member may be reinforced to increase its resistanceto tear during the compression of the first occluding member byincluding a reinforcing material in at least part of the structure ofthe proximal end.

The transformation process from the elongated configuration to the widerconfiguration is reversible, so that the device can be implanted in thestomach in the elongated configuration, reside in the stomach and/orgastro-intestinal tract in the wider configuration, and be removed fromthe stomach through the esophagus in the elongated configuration. In oneembodiment, the wider configuration reverses to the elongatedconfiguration by severing the connecting member from the proximal end,for example, by having a clinician cut a string coupling the connectingmember to the proximal end or to a release member in the proximal end.

A device according to the present material is manufactured from amaterial that is biocompatible, that is able to withstand thegastrointestinal environment, and that prevents or anyways minimizesabrasion of the walls of the stomach and duodenum, particularly of thepyloric valve. In one embodiment, the device is manufactured from aresilient plastic material, for example, from a silicone material, andthe apron member may be constructed to be flexible enough to reversefrom a position surrounding a portion of the tether to a positionsurrounding the first occluding member, in order to facilitate insertionin the stomach according to one method of use.

The second occluding member also may have a bulbous shape, like a pod,and include an insert having a heavier weight than the remainder of thesecond occluding member, so to facilitate disposition and retention inthe duodenum.

The device of the present invention is suited not only for the treatmentof obesity, but also for treating other ailments, such as improperglucose tolerance in a diabetic or prediabetic subject and theprogression of diabetes itself by inhibiting fasting insulin secretionor glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The resent device is alsosuited for treating other ailments deriving from obesity, includinghyperphagia, dyslipidemia, Prader Willi syndrome, Froelich's syndrome,Cohen syndrome, Summit syndrome, Alstrom syndrome, Borjesen syndrome,Bardet-Biedl syndrome, or hyperlipoproteinemia, types I, II, III, andIV.

The device of the present invention may also include sensors ortransmitters to provide feedback and other data to an intra-corporeal orextra-corporeal processor, or may carry one or more compounds stored ina reservoir within the device or coated on the device. In oneembodiment, insulin is released into the gastro-intestinal tract bydisposing an insulin reservoir in the distal member of the device. Sucha release of insulin may be controlled by the size of the orificebetween the reservoir and the outer environment, or by a time-controlledactuator, or by an actuator controlled by one or more sensors, forexample in response to detection of sugar in the gastro-intestinaltract.

Other embodiments of the present invention, methods of use of a devicemanufactured according to the present invention, and methods oftreatment of a variety of ailments using the device of the presentinvention are discussed in detail in the following sections.Additionally, alternative devices and their methods of use which may beused with the features described herein in various combinations arefurther described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/205,403 filed Sep. 5, 2008 (US Pub. 2009/0198210); U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/352,497 filed Jan. 12, 2009 (US Pub.2009/0182357); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/352,508 filedJan. 12, 2009 (US Pub. 2009/0182358), each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for any purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of theinvention in the elongated, narrower configuration.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A inthe contracted, wider configuration.

FIGS. 1C-1E illustrate respectively a cross-sectional view of theproximal member of the embodiment of FIG. 1B, to which a protective caphas been added (FIG. 1C); a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1B withthe protective cap (FIG. 1D); and a cross-sectional view of theembodiment of FIG. 1D (FIG. 1E).

FIG. 1F illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one example of adevice having a sensor incorporated within for confirming or detectingwhether the occluding member has been locked into its deploymentconfiguration.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate respectively a cross-sectional side view and topand bottom end views of another embodiment.

FIGS. 2D-2E illustrate respective side and cross-sectional perspectiveviews of the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate side and cross-sectional side views,respectively, of yet another embodiment where an occluding member isseparately fabricated and removably attachable within an apron member.

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an assembled devicefrom FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show perspective views of a helical assembly having aproximal member reconfigured from its elongated configuration into itsenlarged, coiled and nested configuration.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show cross-sectional side and perspective views of theproximal member to illustrate detail features for locking the proximalmember into its enlarged and compacted configuration.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show perspective and cross-sectional perspective viewsof a covered obstructing assembly.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective assembly view of the various components whichmay form the covered embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the coveringhaving a distal hub and attachment collar within the receiving space.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate partial cross-sectional perspective views of anexample showing how the coiled member may be deployed within thecovering.

FIG. 10 shows one variation of a delivery assembly.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show partial cross-sectional views of the deviceplaced within the stomach.

FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of an optional access tube positionedthrough the esophagus for removal of the device from a patient.

FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of a grasper brought into contact witha release mechanism.

FIGS. 12C and 12D show an example of the proximal member being unlockedand removed from a stomach in its elongate configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention are providedherein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention maybe embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to employthe present invention in virtually any detailed system, structure, ormanner.

FIG. 1A depicts a first embodiment of the invention, which is configuredfor insertion into a patient's organ, typically the stomach. Device 30includes a proximal member 32 and a distal member 34, which areconnected one to the other by a tether 36. The relative sizes ofproximal member 32 and of distal member 24 are such that, afterinsertion into the stomach of a patient, the natural contractions of thestomach and, in general, the movements of the patient induce distalmember 34 to enter the pyloric part of the gastro-intestinal tract andthe duodenum, while proximal member 32 is retained in the stomach andcannot move beyond the pyloric valve because its diameter is larger thanthe pyloric valve opening.

More particularly, proximal member 32 includes a first occluding member38, disposed in a central position within an apron member 40. Firstoccluding member 38 may be formed from an elongated, narrowerconfiguration as shown in FIG. 1A to a contracted, wider configurationas shown in FIG. 1B. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, firstoccluding member 38 has a helical design with a plurality of turns 42,which are configured to nest one adjacent to the other to assume thecompact, bulbous shape illustrated in FIG. 1B.

Apron member 40 wraps around first occluding member 38, providingproximal member 32 with an enlarged diameter and preventing the passageof proximal member 32 through the pyloric valve. In one variant of thepresent embodiment, apron member 40 includes an essentially cylindricalproximal portion 44 connected to an essentially conical distal portion46 that extends from tether 36 to proximal portion 44. Thisconfiguration of apron member 40 is designed to provide an intermittentplugging effect on the pyloric valve and to avoid or anyways minimizeabrasive contact with the wall of the pyloric valve during such pluggingeffect, so to prevent or minimize patient discomfort and irritations oreven lacerations to the mucosa of the stomach and, in general, to thegastro-intestinal tract.

Distal portion 46 may have a smaller wall thickness than proximalportion 44, both providing a gentler, suppler contact with the pyloricvalve, and also facilitating the reversal of apron member 44 duringinsertion into a patient's stomach from a position substantially alignedwith tether 36 to the position that wraps around first occluding member38, as explained in greater detail below.

In different variants of the present embodiment, apron member 40 mayextend proximally for various lengths, surrounding first occludingmember 38 partially or completely. Further, in different variants of thepresent embodiment, apron member 40 may be spaced from first occludingmember 38 at various distances to create an interstice 48 of differentamplitudes between first occluding member 38 and apron member 40.

Second occluding member 34 may exhibit a variety of contours and ingeneral, is shaped to facilitate its transition out of the stomach andinto the duodenum, and to avoid or minimize abrasive contact with thewalls of the stomach and of the pylorus. In one embodiment, secondoccluding member 34 has a bulbous shape, essentially formed by tworounded, frusto-conical portions 50 connected at their wider bases.

Device 30 may be manufactured from a variety of materials, for example,from a resilient plastic such as a silicone or urethane plastic, whichmay be reinforced in selected portions. In general, the selectedmaterial should be biocompatible, resistant to the stomach environment,for example to stomach acids, and soft to the contact with the stomachand duodenal walls. The desired material should also provide device 30with the desired shape while retaining sufficient flexibility for theinsertion process in the stomach, for later reverting to the desiredposition within the gastro-intestinal tract, and for adapting to thevarious movements of the stomach and, in general, of the body of thepatient.

Inserts may be integrally included within the body of device 30 toincrease certain mechanical properties in certain areas. For example, aninsert (such as a metallic cylinder) may be embedded within secondoccluding member 34 to increase weight and to facilitate retention bygravity within the pylorus. Another insert (such as a fabric piece) mayalso be embedded in proximal end 52 of first occluding member 38,increasing resistance to tearing when proximal end 52 is pulled outwardsto extend first occluding member to the configuration of FIG. 1, orinwards to stabilize first occluding member in its contracted, widerconfiguration, as explained in greater detail below.

The insertion of device 30 in a patient's stomach will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 1C. It should be noted that FIG. 1C illustrates,among other things, one variant of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, inwhich a stabilizing cap 54 is added to maintain first occluding member38 in the contracted, wider configuration, and also to increase bulk andto prevent the introduction of food or other gastric products withininterstice 48.

In one method of use, device 30 is introduced in a patient's stomach inthe elongated, narrower configuration of FIG. 1A, with apron member 40oriented in the opposite direction to that shown in FIG. 1A, that is, tocover tether 36 while the free end of distal portion 46 is orientedproximally, in the direction of second occluding member 34. When in thisconfiguration, device 30 is disposed within a tube (not shown) and iscaused to exit the tube with the proximal end 52 first, followed by therest of the device. When device 30 has partially exited the tube (oralternatively, the tube has been retracted from device 30) so to leaveapron member 40 outside of the tube, device 30 is pulled inside thetube, but because apron member 40 surrounds and wraps around the end ofthe tube, such a pulling of device 30 inwards into the tube, causingapron member 40 to flip over and change orientation, so to wrap aroundfirst occluding member 38. After such a flipping around of apron member40 has been achieved, device 30 is completely ejected from the tube andbecomes disposed in the stomach. Alternatively, device 30 may beintroduced in a patient's stomach with apron member 40 already orientedproximally, making unnecessary the previously described flippingoperation.

While the configuration of first occluding member 38 makes it recoil andassume the contracted configuration, similar to that shown in FIG. 1B,the fully contracted, wider configuration of first occluding member 38is achieved and maintained as follows. A connecting member 56 is coupled(for example, by a first string) to a release member 58. A second string60 is looped around device 30, running outside and along device 30starting from a first free end, and then extending within connectingmember 56 through lumen 66, and then (within a lumen or a tube) withinturns 42, successively entering a lumen 62 in tether 36 and secondoccluding member 34 (see also FIGS. 1D and 1E), and eventually exitingdevice 30 with a second free end.

After device 30 has been introduced in the stomach, a clinician can holdboth ends of second string 60 and, by pulling on second string 60 whiledevice 30 is constrained within the stomach, the clinician causesconnecting member 56 to travel in the direction of mating cavity 64,shaped so to constrain connecting member 56 (for example, byinterference fit) and to prevent connecting member 56 from beingreleased. Therefore, first occluding member 38 is locked into itscontracted, wider condition on a permanent basis.

After device 30 has been shaped as described, second string 60 isremoved by pulling on one free end and by having second string 60 slidethrough the lumens within device 30, eventually exiting device 30entirely. Device 30 is now free to move freely within the stomach, andthe natural contractions of the stomach, in addition to any othermovements of the patient's body, cause distal member 34 to move into thepylorus, while the size of proximal member 32 prevents it from movinginto the pylorus and forces it to reside in the stomach. Therefore,distal member 34 will eventually be disposed in the pylorus, and anyinserts of a heavier weight will facilitate retention of distal member34 in the pylorus, while proximal member 32 will act as an intermittentplug against the pyloric valve, because stomach contractions and otherbody movements will cause proximal member 32 to move towards and awayfrom the pyloric valve, acting as an intermittent plug and allowing thepassage of some food from time to time.

Another embodiment is illustrated in the cross-sectional side view ofFIG. 2A and the top and bottom end views, respectively, of FIGS. 2B and2C. In this embodiment, device 31 may also include a distal member 33connected or attached via tether 35 to proximal member 37. As describedabove, proximal member 37 may comprise an apron member 39 which definesa curved or otherwise arcuate surface which tapers radially from tether35 at a distal portion 41 (which typically contacts the stomach interiorsurface when in use) to a curved proximal portion 43 which has arelatively larger diameter and which may define a circumferential lip oredge 53 which is atraumatic to surrounding tissue. Apron member 39 maydefine a channel or interstice 45 within which first occluding member 47may reside when occluding member 47 is in its contracted deploymentconfiguration, as illustrated. With occluding member 47 contracted,apron member 47 may be configured to entirely or at least partiallyencircle or enclose occluding member 47, as illustrated in FIGS. 2D and2E which respectively show side and cross-sectional perspective views.Moreover, interstice 47 may be left open when in use in the patient bodyor an additional cap member or covering may be optionally attached tofully enclose apron member 39 and occluding member 47 within, if sodesired.

Occluding member 47 may be formed into a coiled or wound structurehaving a plurality of turns and a distal end which is attached, coupled,or otherwise formed integrally with device 31 at connecting portion 49.Because of its coiled or wound helical structure, occluding member 47may be extended in a low-profile configuration, as above, for deliveryinto the patient body and then allowed to compress or contract into itscoiled structure which forms a diameter or cross-sectional area which isrelatively larger than a diameter of distal member 33 to inhibit orprevent the passage of proximal member 37 through the pylorus when inuse. As in the aforementioned embodiment, occluding member 47 may bebiased or configured to self-contract. Alternatively, a string member orother locking mechanism, as described herein, may be actuated tocompress and/or lock the structure such that the expanded configurationis maintained and prevented from releasing and reconfiguring back intoits low-profile configuration. Distal member 33 may further define alumen or channel 51 to facilitate the placement and/or positioning ofdevice 31 within the patient body.

In yet another embodiment, the occluding member may be fabricated as aseparate component and attached or coupled within the apron member at alater time rather than forming the occluding member as a continuousintegral component. This particular embodiment allows for the size andshape of the occluding member to be varied and altered according to anypatient-specific parameters and attached within a common apron member.As shown in the side view of FIG. 3A and the cross-sectional side viewof FIG. 3B, occluding member 61 may be formed as a coiled or woundhelical structure which defines a channel 65 and a receiving portion 63when in its collapsed deployed configuration. As previously described,occluding member 61 may be advanced into the patient body in an extendedlow-profile configuration and then collapsed into its expanded andoptionally locked configuration, as shown, either via actuation or byallowing for self-reconfiguration.

Because the coiled portion of occluding member 61 may form a receivingportion 63 in its collapsed configuration, portion 63 may be coupled toa complementary securement mechanism positioned within apron member 37.In this example, the securement mechanism may be comprised of aconnecting portion 55 which extends distally within apron member 37.Connecting portion 55 may have a securement member 57, such as a taperedportion, and a stop member 59 which each limit the movement of portion63 relative to connecting portion 55.

As illustrated in the cross-sectional side view of FIG. 3C, occludingmember 61 is shown in its collapsed and locked configuration whilesecured within interstice 45 and encircled by apron member 37. As shown,securement member 57 may be advanced at least partially within channel65 formed by the wound occluding member 61 to prevent the relativemovement or release of occluding member 61 from connecting portion 55.The connecting portion 55 is illustrated as an example and is notintended to be limiting. Other known securement mechanisms may beutilized as practicable.

In these and other embodiments described herein, because the device maybe introduced into the patient body in a minimally invasive manner,e.g., per-orally and through the esophagus into the patient's stomach,the device may be delivered in its low-profile configuration, e.g.,where the occluding member is in its uncoiled or unwound elongateconfiguration. Alternatively, the device may be delivered in a partiallylocked configuration. Once within the stomach, for instance, the devicemay be coiled or wound into its deployment configuration and theoccluding member may be affirmatively locked into position relative tothe device such that its enlarged profile inhibits or prevents thepassage of the device through the pylorus. In ensuring that theoccluding member is locked into its expanded configuration, variousmechanisms may be utilized to confirm its securement.

One example includes having the string for locking the occluding memberbe color-coded such that one portion of the string is of a differentcolor, e.g., red, than the remainder of the string. As the string istensioned to lock the occluding member, once the color-coded portion isexposed from the device the user may visually confirm that the occludingmember is locked into its deployment configuration. Alternatively, theamount of tension required to lock the device may be calibrated toincrease to a preset level once the device is locked such that the usermay confirm by tactile feedback that the device is indeed locked.

Other alternative mechanisms for locking confirmation or detection ofthe occluding device may additionally include sensors incorporatedwithin the device. An example is illustrated in the cross-sectional sideview of FIG. IF, which shows sensor 67 positioned within the device.Sensor 67 may incorporate any number of detection modalities, e.g.,acoustic, ultrasonic, electrical, electromagnetic, optical (forinstance, detecting changes in color, wavelength, frequency, etc.),chemical, etc. which may sense changes in the occluding member from itscoiled deployment configuration or changes in the string tension,connecting member 56, or release member 58.

Based on the foregoing, device 30 (and variations thereof) assists inthe treatment of obesity by limiting the passage of food from thestomach into the intestine, and at the same time by reducing the intakeof food by the patient due to the sense of fullness generated by theretention of food in the stomach for a longer time and also by to thepresence of device 30 in the stomach.

In yet another variation of the helically coiled device, FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow perspective views of a helical assembly 70 having a proximal member72 reconfigured from its elongated configuration into its enlarged,coiled and nested configuration. The tether 74 may be seen extendingfrom a compliant region 78 near a distal end of the proximal member 72and a distal member 76 attached at a distal end of the tether 74. Thecompliant region 78 may be provided with a variable stiffness to be morebenign to the contacted tissue and to further prevent trauma to thesurrounding tissue. In this and any of the variations herein, variouscoatings may be applied to the device, for example, for coefficient offriction, lubricity, enhanced biochemical durability, anti-microbialperformance, etc.

FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional side view of the coiled and lockedassembly 70 which in this variation illustrates the elongate coiledmember 80 having a contoured profile 84. The profile 84 may define aprojecting portion which may form a contact interface 82 when coiledinto its nesting configuration with the adjacent coil although reversedcontours may also be used to prevent the inward displacement of thenested loops. The contoured profile 84 may also enhance alignment of thestructure during deployment as well. Furthermore, the edges of thecoiled member 80 may also be radiused to reduce exposure of any edges tothe gastric tissue. Once nested, the coiled member 80 may form acompacted shape which may form an enclosed space 88 within and which maybe configured into a spherically-shaped structure, as shown. To maintainits compacted configuration, a central column 86 may extend through thecenter of the proximal member 72 to lock the shape of the member 72. Thecentral column 86 may be formed in part by a distal hub 90 which may beanchored or attached at a distal end of the proximal member 72 and alsooptionally attached to the hub where the tether 74 is attached to theproximal member 72. A proximal plug 94 may be seated 96 at a proximalend of the coiled member 80 and extend into a coupled attachment to thedistal hub 90 which may be connected via, e.g., a collar 92 such as adirectional C-clip, etc.

Optionally, a reinforcing member 98 such as a wire or suture length maybe coupled to the distal hub 90 and extend through the tether 74 intoattachment with the distal member 76. Additionally, a distal weight 100may also be optionally integrated into the distal member 76 as well. Theinclusion of a reinforcing member 98 may prevent the over-extension ofthe tether 74 during deployment and use. The member 98 may also functionto prevent the detachment of the tether 74 or distal member 76 in theunlikely event that the tether 74 fails.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show cross-sectional side and perspective views of theproximal member 72 to illustrate detail features for locking theproximal member 72 into its enlarged and compacted configuration. Asshown, the proximal plug 94 may include a release mechanism 110 whichextends through a proximal end of the plug 94 and is secured via one ormore release securement members 112 within the plug 94. The releasemechanism 110 may be toggled proximally and distally relative to theplug 94 to selectively lock or unlock one or more tensioning wires whichextend transversely through the coiled member 80. Moreover, the releasemechanism 110 may be formed to have a rigid lip to facilitate itsgrasping by endoscopic tools when locking or unlocking the mechanism110. Optionally, the release mechanism 110 may also integrate a valve,such as a duck-billed valve, to prevent solid matter from entering theinternal space of the proximal member 72. The collar 92 may also be seencoupling the distal hub 90 and the proximal plug 94 to one another. Asthe coiled member 80 configures into the enlarged configuration, theplug 94 may come into a mating engagement with the distal hub 90 whichmay then be joined by the collar 92 housed around the proximal plug 94.

To facilitate the reconfiguration of the coiled member 80 into itscompacted configuration and to lock its enlarged configuration in asecure manner, one or more tensioning wires may extend through thecoiled member 80 in a transverse direction. The tensioning wires may beformed of various wires or other high-strength force fibers. Theterminal end of the coiled member 80 may integrate one or moretensioning wire pins 114, 116, as shown in FIG. 5A, to which one or morecorresponding collets 120, 122, 124 are attached and which also havecorresponding lock lines 126, 128, 130 extending from their respectivepins. The lock lines 126, 128, 130 may be located uniformly about thecircumference of the proximal member and extend transversely throughrespective lumens defined through the coiled member 80, as shown in FIG.5B. Although three lock lines are shown, this is done for illustrativepurposes and any number of lock lines may be utilized at uniform (e.g.,four lock lines positioned at 90 degrees relative to one another about acircumference of the proximal member 72) or arbitrary locations aroundthe proximal member 72. Moreover, multiple lock lines may furtherprovide for locking redundancy such that if one lock line were to fail,the proximal member 72 may still retain its enlarged structure.

With the lock lines extending through the coiled member, they may passand loop through corresponding openings 132 located near or at theproximal end of the proximal plug 94. The remaining terminal ends ofeach of the lock lines may be passed externally of the assembly 70 aswell as externally of the patient body when in use to facilitate thetensioning and securement of the lock lines when collapsing the proximalmember 72. With the looped lock lines passing through opening 132, therelease mechanism 110 may be selectively collapsed into the proximalplug 94 to lock the tensioning in the lock lines which may maintain thecompacted configuration of the proximal member 72. Pulling of therelease mechanism 110 may accordingly release the lock lines and allowfor the unraveling of the proximal member 72, e.g., during removal ofthe device from the patient's stomach.

To facilitate the tensioning of the lock lines, they may be engagedthrough the respective collets to allow for unidirectional passage ofthe lock lines. Thus, as the lock lines are tensioned through thecollets, they may be pulled in only a tensioning direction to prevent orinhibit the unraveling of the proximal member 72. Additionally, thecollets or pins may be optionally radio-opaque to facilitatevisualization of the device through, e.g., fluoroscopic visualization,to provide for confirmation of the locked status of the proximal member72.

In yet another variation, FIGS. 6A and 6B show perspective andcross-sectional perspective views of a covered obstructing assembly 140.In this variation, a covering 142 may enclose the coiled member 80partially or completely such that the surface presented to thesurrounding tissue remains completely smooth and uniform. The covering142 may approximate the enlarged shape of the proximal member 72 suchthat the coiled member 80 may be formed entirely within the covering 142itself, as described herein. Once the coiled member 80 has been formedwithin, a tissue interface 144 may be positioned by the terminal end ofthe coiled member 80 so as to present a smooth surface against thesurrounding tissue.

As shown in the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 6B, a strainrelief hub section 146 may be incorporated between the covering 142 andtether 74 so as to prevent the excessive strain at the connection pointdue to the softened structure. The strain relief hub section 146 may beinternally expandable such that it is rotationally secure. It may alsobe provided as a single-molded part that can be expanded by compression.An attachment collar 148, in an alternative variation, may extend intothe receiving space 152 defined within the covering 142 and the proximalplug 94 may be detached from the distal hub 90 such that the centralcolumn is discontinuous. The attachment collar 148 may be configured toreceive the pins at the terminal ends of the lock lines to lock theproximal member 72 in its configuration and may also join the member 72to the covering 142. Having a decoupled column may provide foradditional flexibility to the proximal member 72 which may conform orflex to a greater extent. With the covering 142 deployed first, thecoiled member 80 may be introduced in its elongate configurationdirectly through cover opening 150 and into the receiving space 152where it may coil into its nested and collapsed configuration, asdescribed herein.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective assembly view of the various components whichmay form the covered embodiment. As shown, the covering 142 mayincorporate the distal hub 90 and attachment collar 148 within thereceiving space 152, as shown in the partial cross-section perspectiveview of FIG. 8. The coiled member 80 may be introduced into thereceiving space 152 through opening 150 as a component separate from thecovering 142. As previously described, the proximal plug 94 and releasemechanism 110 may also be integrated with the coiled member 80.Additionally, a delivery tube 160 having a tapered covering interface162 may be provided for attachment to the opening 150. The delivery tube160 may provide an access passage for the introduction of the coiledmember 80 in its elongate form into the covering 142.

FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate partial cross-sectional perspective views ofan example showing how the coiled member 80 may be deployed. With thecovering 142 attached temporarily to the covering interface 162 atopening 150, as shown in FIG. 9A, the covering 142 may be positionedwithin the stomach. FIG. 9B illustrates how the covering 142 may bedevoid of the coiled member 80. As shown in FIG. 9C, the coiled member80 may then be introduced through the delivery tube 160 and into thereceiving space 152 where it may then coil into its nested and compactedconfiguration. Once complete, the covering interface 162 may be pulledfrom the opening 150 to detach itself and the tissue interface 144 andrelease mechanism 110 may obstruct or plug the covering opening 150.

In delivering and deploying the obstructing device into the stomach, onevariation of a delivery assembly 170 is shown in the perspective view ofFIG. 10. In this example, the assembly 170 may generally have atensioning control assembly 172 attached to a delivery tube 184extending from the control assembly 172. The coiled member 80 may beloaded within the delivery tube 184 in its elongated configuration withthe tether 74 and distal member 76 positioned within the delivery tube184 distal to the coiled member 80. The lock lines may pass from theelongate member 80 within the delivery tube 184 and extend proximallythrough the delivery tube 184 and into the control assembly 172. Each ofthe lock lines may be routed to a corresponding tensioning spring 174which may provide a continual or intermittent tensioning force ofvariable magnitude upon the lock lines which may help to prevent thelock lines from tangling and which may also facilitate the tensioning ofthe lock lines when reconfiguring the coiled member 80 into itscompacted shape.

Each of the lock lines may also be attached to a corresponding tensioncontrol interface 178 which may tighten each of the lock linesindividually or simultaneously, e.g., via an actuatable loop tensioner176. Each of the lock lines may be further routed through the controlassembly 172 and into communication with a corresponding tensioning wireaccess handle 180. Once the proximal member 72 has been sufficientlynested and compacted, one or more of the wire access handles 180 may bepulled to expose the lock lines which may then be cut and/or removedfrom the assembly and patient. An optional insufflation port 182 coupledto the delivery tube 184 may also be provided, e.g., for insufflatingthe stomach or body lumen prior to or during delivery of the obstructingmember.

When deployed, the obstructing device 70 may be placed within thestomach ST of a patient, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view ofFIG. 11A. The esophagus ES, pylorus PY, and duodenum DU are alsoillustrated for reference. With the proximal member 72 in its enlargedand nested configuration, the device 70 may lie within the stomach ST.Once the patient has ingested some food or liquid, the stomach ST maybegin to contract such that the distal member 76 is moved through thestomach ST towards the pylorus PY. Because the distal member 76 is sizedfor passage through the pylorus PY, the distal member 76 may passthrough to become positioned within the duodenum DU of the patient.However, because of the enlarged configuration, the proximal member 72may remain within the stomach ST and cover the pylorus PY, as shown inFIG. 11B. As the stomach continues to contract, the proximal member 72may begin to intermittently obstruct and expose the pylorus PY allowingfood and/or liquid to pass from the stomach at a slowed rate thusforcing the patient to feel full for longer periods of time. Once thestomach has been completely emptied, the device 70 may be allowed tothen reposition itself within the stomach ST.

In the event that the device 70 is to be removed from the patient, thedevice 70 may be collapsed within the stomach ST and removed backthrough the esophagus ES in its elongate configuration. One example isshown in the perspective view of FIG. 12A which illustrates how anoptional access tube 190 may be positioned through the esophagus ES andan endoscope 192 or other instrument having, e.g., a grasper 194, may bepassed through the access tube 190 and into proximity to the proximalmember 72. The grasper 194 may be brought into contact with the releasemechanism 110, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 12B, which maythen be pulled to unlock the proximal member 72. The entire centralcolumn 86 may be removed from the proximal member 72, as shown in FIG.12C, and removed from the stomach ST. With the proximal member 72released, the coiled member 80 may be pulled through the access tube 190and through the esophagus ES in its collapsed and elongate profile, asshown in FIG. 12D.

The applications of the disclosed invention discussed above are notlimited to certain treatments or regions of the body, but may includeany number of other treatments and areas of the body. Modification ofthe above-described methods and devices for carrying out the invention,and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those ofskill in the arts are intended to be within the scope of thisdisclosure. Moreover, various combinations of aspects between examplesare also contemplated and are considered to be within the scope of thisdisclosure as well.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for intermittently obstructing a gastricopening, the device comprising: a proximal occluding member, wherein theproximal occluding member is reconfigurable between an elongatednarrowed configuration and a compacted widened configuration having aplurality of turns nesting one adjacent to the other; a distal member; aflexible tether connecting the proximal occluding member and the distalmember; a distal hub coupled to a distal end of the proximal occludingmember; and a proximal plug coupled to a proximal end of the proximaloccluding member, wherein the proximal plug and the distal hub aredetached and maintained at a distance from one another when the proximaloccluding member is in the compacted widened configuration.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lock linesextending transversely through the plurality of turns of the proximaloccluding member and coupling a distal end of the proximal occludingmember with a proximal end of the proximal occluding member.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the plurality of lock lines are arrangedaround a circumference of the proximal occluding member.
 4. The deviceof claim 3, wherein the plurality of lock lines extend transverselythrough the proximal occluding member in a curvilinear manner throughlumens defined through the plurality of turns of the proximal occludingmember.
 5. The device of claim 2, further comprising an attachmentcollar, wherein at least part of the attachment collar extends into acavity formed by the proximal occluding member in the compacted widenedconfiguration, and wherein the attachment collar is configured toreceive pins at terminal ends of the plurality of lock lines to lock theproximal occluding member in the compacted widened configuration.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the distal hub and the proximal plug areconfigured to engagingly mate with one another.
 7. The device of claim1, further comprising a covering attached to the flexible tether andsurrounding the proximal occluding member.
 8. The device of claim 7,further comprising a delivery tube which is removably coupled to anopening defined along a proximal end of the covering, wherein thedelivery tube is configured to provide access passage for theintroduction of the proximal occluding member having the plurality ofturns into the covering.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the proximaloccluding member further comprises a strain relief hub section betweenthe covering and the flexible tether.
 10. The device of claim 1, whereinthe distal member further comprises a weight disposed within the distalmember.
 11. A method of deploying an occluding device within a patient,comprising: advancing an obstructing device into a stomach of thepatient, the obstructing device having a proximal occluding memberconfigured in an elongated narrowed configuration and having a distalmember and a flexible tether connecting the proximal occluding memberand the distal member; urging the proximal occluding member into acompacted widened configuration having a plurality of turns nesting oneadjacent to the other; positioning a distal hub connected to a distalend of the proximal occluding member toward a proximal plug connected toa proximal end of the proximal occluding member; and locking a positionof the distal hub and the proximal plug relative to one another when theproximal plug and the distal hub are detached and maintained at adistance from another.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein urging theproximal occluding member comprises compacting the proximal occludingmember into a helical structure where the plurality of turns nest in aninterfitted profile.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein urging theproximal occluding member into the compacted widened configurationfurther comprises tensioning a plurality of lock lines extendingtransversely through the plurality of turns of the proximal occludingmember.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein urging the proximaloccluding member further comprises tensioning the plurality of locklines by pulling the plurality of lock lines through collets.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, wherein urging the proximal occluding member furthercomprises tensioning the plurality of lock lines as the plurality oflock lines extend transversely through the proximal occluding member ina curvilinear manner through lumens defined through the plurality ofturns of the proximal occluding member.
 16. The method of claim 13,wherein the obstructing device further comprises an attachment collar,wherein at least part of the attachment collar extends into a cavityformed by the proximal occluding member in the compacted widenedconfiguration, and wherein the attachment collar is configured toreceive pins at terminal ends of the plurality of lock lines to lock theproximal occluding member in the compacted widened configuration. 17.The method of claim 11, wherein urging the proximal occluding memberinto the compacted widened configuration comprises introducing theproximal occluding member through an opening defined along a covering.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the proximal occluding memberfurther comprises a strain relief hub section between the covering andthe flexible tether.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprisingwithdrawing the proximal occluding member from the stomach of thepatient when the proximal occluding member is reconfigured into anelongated narrowed configuration.
 20. The method of claim 11, whereinthe distal member further comprises a weight disposed within the distalmember.